The Dial House was built by the Tillyards. Robint John Tillyard, Chief of the CSIR Division of Economic Entomology whom the Executive convinced to return to Australia from New Zealand for the position. Dr Tillyard put a vertical sundial on this house and the first thing built for the ouse was this pond of which they enjoyed were the dragon flies that hatched in it. From Faith Evans, daughter of Robin Tillyard ""It was the most unsuitable house, but it had a tennis court and a ? garden and he was a very keen gardner.

The house was sold by the Tillyards as it was too big for them and that they were in financial straights as Dr Tillyard had lost his job as Chief (2000 to 400 pound salary) and he still had 4 dependent daughters.